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2027 Call for proposals

A page within INTERNATIONAL DEATH, GRIEF, AND BEREAVEMENT CONFERENCE

2027 THEME

Fractured Grief: Family Conflict, Estrangement & Division After Loss

Grief rarely happens in isolation. Loss can expose long-standing fractures or create new conflict as families navigate shifting roles, loyalties, cultural expectations, and unresolved wounds. This conference examines how family dynamics—including evolving definitions of family and the bonds formed with chosen family and companion animals—shape the grieving process, identity, and pathways to healing.

Concurrent session and poster session proposal deadline: October 1, 2026
Notification date: October 30, 2026

Submit Your Proposal

We welcome submissions addressing:

  • Conflict, estrangement, rivalry, and division in grief and bereavement
  • Grieving in high-conflict or fragmented family systems
  • Cultural, intergenerational, and global perspectives on family, loss, and ritual
  • Ethical dilemmas in caregiving, decision-making, and end-of-life conflict
  • Supporting those grieving outside traditional family structures
  • The role of pets and companion animals in grief and family identity
  • Communication and reconciliation approaches for divided families
  • Clinical, community, research, or lived-experience perspectives on relational healing

 

2027 International Death, Grief, & Bereavement Conference

Pre-conference: June 6, 2027 | Conference: June 7–9, 2027

Sponsored by University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Center for Death Education & Bioethics 
Graduate & Extended Learning

Submit Your Proposal

All proposals must be submitted online using the call for proposal submission form.

Proposals for concurrent sessions (1.25 hours each) will be accepted based on the relevancy to the theme and to a chosen strand.

Strands: 

  • Research, theory or policy implications
  • Practical skills and application
  • Contemporary therapies

Concurrent Session Proposals

  • Sessions are limited to 60 minutes of presentation and 15 minutes of questions, discussion and dialogue with participants. It is highly encouraged that you allow 15 minutes for interaction with those attending your session.
  • Selected concurrent session presenters will receive a discounted conference registration.
  • The form will request information on all presenters, presentation title, abstract, learning objectives, alignment with counselor education, presenter experience related to the subject matter, 3 academic or professional sources related to your topic, practice gap addressed by presentation, curriculum vitae (upload for each presenter)

Poster and Roundtable Session Proposals

  • The poster or roundtable presentation is 'open stream' and presentations are welcome on any topic, theme, theoretical innovation or policy development across the field of death, dying and bereavement.
  • Poster display materials will be up throughout the conference and one 30 minute author presentation will be scheduled.
  • Selected poster and roundtable session presenters will receive discounted conference registration.
  • The form will request information on all presenters, presentation title, abstract, learning objectives, alignment with counselor education, presenter experience related to the subject matter, 3 academic or professional sources related to your topic, practice gap addressed by presentation, curriculum vitae (upload for each presenter)

For questions, please contact: Graduate & Extended Learning, 608.785.6500 or ex@uwlax.edu.

When are posters available for viewing?
  • You will be assigned a day to display your poster at the conference
  • Your poster will be displayed for the entire day
  • Poster presentations take place during scheduled break times throughout the day
What are the requirements for the poster?
  • Posters will be affixed to provided easels
  • The easels are W 4' x H 6'
  • Pins/clips will be provided to secure your poster to the easel
Where do I display my poster?
  • Please check in at the registration desk on your assigned poster session day
  • You will be directed to your poster station by Graduate & Extended Learning staff
  • Poster stations are located in the foyer outside of the Bluffs Ballroom (where lunches, breaks and keynote presentations occur)

 

 

Do I present my poster?
  • Please be prepared to present your poster during break times on the day you have been assigned
  • Please stand next to your poster during break time you are scheduled to present; this will encourage attendees to visit with you and discuss your poster

 

When is the roundtable session?
  • Roundtable sessions are held during one of the lunch breaks
  • Sessions occur concurrently at selected tables in the Bluffs Ballroom (where lunch is served)
  • Please be prepared to start your presentation at the beginning of the 60 minute lunch break
  • Your presentation will occur at your assigned table

 

 

Where do I set up for my roundtable discussion?
  • Roundtable presenters should check in at the registration table and indicate they are a roundtable presenter
  • The UW-La Crosse Graduate & Extended Learning staff will show the presenters to the table that will host their roundtable session
  • Tables will have signage to indicate its use for a roundtable session
Should I bring handouts to my roundtable discussion?
  • You are welcome to print and bring handouts for attendees at your session
  • Tables seat 8 people
  • There will be a maximum of 7 attendees at your table 
    • Should more people want to participate, they are welcome to add chairs from other tables
How many people will be at my roundtable discussion?
  • There will be a maximum of 7 attendees at your table 
    • Should more people want to participate, they are welcome to add chairs from other tables